Role Models

Who is your role model?  And why do you look up to this person?

Is it because they are organized and you aspire to be organized?

Do they have a lot of money, a good career, an awesome education....a beautiful family?

Do they have an amazing talent?

Webster.Com defines a role model as this:

a person whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others.

IMITATED by others.  Who do you "imitate"?  Usually what you imitate is based on who or what influences you.  This is tricky. Some people spend most of their adult lives battling what influenced their childhood.  You have to be careful when deciding if the role model(s) you look up to are healthy-for-you influences or not-so-spiritually-healthy-for-you influences.

I have been thinking a lot about what not only influences me, but how I influence others.

In Titus 2, the Bible states:

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.  Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

I hope that when people think of me-they see a woman of God that they can look up to (not perfect, but someone who works hard at doing her personal best and loves God no matter what).   I aspire to share my love for God with others and show how He has changed my life.  I continually seek and pray for relationships in my life that glorify God.  I pray for friendships with Godly women I can look up to.  

After all, even "role models" need role models-"Godly models."  I choose that healthy-for-you type influence for my life.

Some days, I feel I have to "battle" Satan-he loves to poke around with my emotions.  At these times, I refuse to let him make me feel less than I am!  I look to God for direction-pour myself into scripture, pray for continual forgiveness, seek opportunities for spiritual growth, and do the very best that I can for HIM.  

My prayer for my readers today is that you seek God AND a Godly role model in your life...not necessarily an idol (there is a difference)-and that you continually work on being the role model others can look to.  Even when its hard.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:9  

  

Confirmation

Hey dear friends!  My last post was all about stepping out in FAITH.  And I am just sitting here reflecting-with a smile on my face-at how the last month God has shown me that by trusting in HIS plan, everything will work out even better than I could have imagined for myself.  
In my post I mentioned that I could not confirm what decisions I was trying to make-but now I can tell you...although you may have guessed...

I got a new job!  

Not just ANY job.  A job that provides more for my family, a job in which I feel appreciated and WANTED, a job that I am excited about!
And I will admit I was worried about the transition.  This isn't an easy time for switching jobs.
I stayed in scripture, poured myself into His word, and prayed deeply.

Some things that happened within this transition that confirmed God's plan for me:
1. Interview went REALLY well.  I prayed that God would help me not to stumble!
2. Offered job right away.  No waiting, worrying.  
3. A co-worker I had put on my resume actually had worked for this administrator (surprise)!
4. Administrator is a woman of God, who has children (and a love for children)!

These aren't the only indicators of God's loving hands spread over me, there were a lot more things that happened in this process that had me thinking "ONLY GOD COULD DO THIS!"  I am so thankful!  What a breath of fresh air! 

For the Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With His love, He will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17

Fly Away

A couple of weeks ago, in the morning, I was walking from my car to my classroom and in the middle of the sidewalk sat a little bird.   I looked straight at him and he looked completely helpless; he looked like he had been hurt and did not fly away when I came near him.  I think maybe he had flown into the window and landed right on the concrete.

Now, I love animals and all of God's creations but I don't consider myself to be an "animal rescuer."  What I mean is I don't really get upset if someone squashes a bug...and although I do wish to see every animal in those animal shelters homed-I am not normally the advocate that puts them there.  However, there are people who have the love and skill who know what to do in a time of "animal crisis"-like my co-worker Katie-who is an avid animal lover and rescuer.  As soon as I got into the building I let Katie know about that poor little bird.  She started a rescue mission right away-letting other teachers know the bird was there (making sure kids didn't mistake him for a leaf, making sure no one accidentally stepped on him).  In about 10 minutes she had located some butterfly contraption to put him in, called someone who knows of a wildlife rescue that might take him and nurse him back to health, and located gloves (as not to get her scent on the bird when transferring him to said butterfly contraption).  I love this about her!  After all this prep to get the bird, she walks outside and can't find him!  I walk back outside with her and help her look for him and we realized he must have flown away.  I was happy for that little bird because I know the quality of life for him would have declined had we tried to transfer him to some strange place-out of his habitat.

Recently I was given the opportunity to fly away from my own "habitat" and to do this I had to step out in Faith.  I knew there would be an opportunity coming-I just wasn't sure when.  I have had this feeling for about 6 months-I just felt something (someone, the Holy Spirit) tell my soul: "Don't worry.  This isn't it.  There is more." 

In the last two weeks, I have been prayerfully considering this opportunity that literally fell at my feet.  I continually sought out God's Will in this situation and everything just kind of fell into place.  It still is! And although I cannot confirm EXACTLY what that is yet...I do know that God gave me the courage to step out in Faith, to trust Him, to step out of my Comfort Zone...and that's not easy for anyone!

I think, just like that little bird, at the point of rescue-God gives us the courage to "fly away"-either from what's holding us back or with peace to stay where we are.  Or maybe its the courage to experience something new!

I have been reading the book "Unglued" by Lysa TerKeurst.  In the book Lysa says: "Remember, Comfort Zones don't have to be comfortable, they're just familiar."  That is SO true!  And I KNOW because I am following what God wants me to do; stepping out of my comfort zone and flying away from my "familiar habitat"!  And I know he will give me the strength to soar!   How do I know its what God wants me to do?  I feel peace in each decision- in a moment where normally my anxiety and worry would be at an ultimate high!

How exhilarating...peace in my soul...new opportunities...for the good...for me...who loves God!  I can't wait to spread my wings and see where this new opportunity takes me!  

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

    They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

    They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 4:31